You’re packing for a week in Mexico or a family visit back east. The last thing you want is to be sitting in a departures lounge realizing you never double-checked your back door lock. Or worse, getting a call from a neighbor while you’re gone.
A comprehensive security check before leaving North Vancouver takes 30 minutes and prevents most common break-ins and accidental vulnerabilities. Here’s a practical checklist to work through before you head to the airport.
1. Check Every Exterior Door Lock
Walk around your home and test every door that opens to the outside. Front door, back door, side door, garage entry—lock each one and test it physically. Don’t just assume it’s locked. Wiggle the handle or deadbolt to confirm it’s fully engaged.
If a lock is sticky, stiff, or doesn’t catch properly, note it. Loose hardware can fail while you’re away. A quick lubrication or adjustment by a locksmith before you leave is worth the peace of mind.
For sliding glass doors and patio doors, verify the lock mechanism is secure. These are common entry points that homeowners overlook.
2. Install Door Bars or Wedges on Sliding Doors
Sliding glass doors are easy to force open even when locked. A simple bar or wedge in the track prevents someone from lifting the door off its frame. You can buy a sliding door bar at any hardware store for $15 to $30, or use a wooden dowel cut to fit the track.
This is one of the fastest security upgrades you can make before vacation.
3. Test Your Smart Locks If You Have Them
If you have smart locks on your front door or other entries, test remote access from your phone before you leave. Make sure the app works, the battery isn’t low, and the backup codes are accessible.
Set up temporary access codes for trusted neighbors or friends who might need entry in an emergency. You can delete those codes when you return.
Confirm the lock will fall back to physical key operation if the battery dies while you’re away. A quality smart lock installation includes backup access, but verify it’s set up correctly.
4. Check All Window Locks
Many break-ins happen through windows, not doors. Walk through each room and test every window lock. Sash windows, casement windows, sliding windows—lock them all.
If you have older windows with broken locks, this is a good time to get them repaired or install new locks before vacation.
5. Close and Secure All Accessible Windows
Beyond locking, actually close windows. Don’t leave bathroom or kitchen windows cracked open for ventilation. An open window is an open invitation, especially in a home that appears empty.
If you live in a ground-floor unit or have windows accessible from a deck or fence, this is non-negotiable.
6. Set Up Timer Lights Inside
An empty home looks empty. Exterior security lights are great, but interior lights on timers are better. Set them to turn on and off at different times throughout the evening to simulate someone being home.
Many smart light systems let you randomize timing so it doesn’t look mechanical. Even simple plug-in timers work—they’re $20 and highly effective.
7. Put Your Mail on Hold
A overflowing mailbox signals you’re away. Contact Canada Post and request a vacation hold. They’ll hold your mail until you return or you can resume delivery with a click in your account.
This is crucial in North Vancouver neighborhoods where mail visibility from the street is common. Don’t rely on neighbors to grab it daily.
8. Disable Automatic Package Delivery
Packages sitting on your porch are theft magnets. If you’re expecting deliveries, pause them or have them held at a depot. Check Amazon, online retailers, and subscription services for vacation holds.
9. Install or Activate Security Cameras
If you have security cameras, make sure they’re positioned to cover entry doors and are actively recording before you leave. Check that cloud storage or local storage is configured.
If you don’t have cameras, this is a good long-term investment. Even a simple doorbell camera deters many opportunistic break-ins.
10. Secure Spare Keys and Backup Access Codes
Don’t leave spare keys hidden in flowerpots, under doormats, or in fake rocks. These are the first places thieves check.
If you have smart locks with backup codes, write them down and store them securely (not in your home—with a trusted contact or in a secure document). Remove any temporary access codes you created for contractors or housekeepers.
If a trusted neighbor has a spare key, confirm they actually have it and know how to use it in an emergency. Don’t assume.
11. Lock Up Valuables and Garage Tools
This isn’t a lock-specific step, but it’s worth including: close your garage door, lock it if possible, and don’t leave expensive tools, bikes, or equipment visible through the garage door window.
Keep jewelry, electronics, and cash out of sight or locked in a safe. A thief doing a quick reconnaissance through windows wants easy targets.
12. Adjust Privacy Settings on Social Media
Don’t broadcast that you’re away. Avoid posting vacation photos in real time or checking in at airports. Wait until you return to share trip photos.
Burglars monitor social media to identify empty homes. This is basic but often overlooked.
The 30-Minute Pre-Vacation Routine
Do these 12 checks in order about 24 hours before you leave. You’ll catch any issues that need a quick locksmith fix before you’re stuck at the airport.
If your locks are old or you discover one that doesn’t work properly, call a locksmith in North Vancouver the day before you travel. They can often fit you in same-day for emergency pre-vacation work.
A professional security assessment can catch vulnerabilities you might miss, especially if you’re away frequently or live in a higher-traffic neighborhood.
Coming Home Safely
When you return, unlock your door before entering and check that your home hasn’t been disturbed. Look for signs of entry—forced locks, damaged windows, items moved.
If something seems wrong, don’t enter. Call the police and wait outside.
FAQ
How often should I physically check my locks before vacation?
Always do a full physical check 24 hours before you leave. Don’t rely on memory or assuming you locked something yesterday. Test each lock by turning the key or deadbolt to confirm it’s engaged.
What’s the most commonly overlooked security gap before vacation?
Sliding doors and patio doors. Many people lock them but don’t realize they can still be forced open. Adding a bar or wedge to the track is one of the highest-value security upgrades for vacation peace of mind.
Should I tell people I’m going on vacation?
Avoid posting it publicly or in real time on social media. Let trusted family and close friends know in case of emergency, but don’t broadcast it on Instagram or Facebook. The fewer people who know your home is empty, the better.
What should I do if I discover a broken lock the night before vacation?
Call an emergency locksmith. Most North Vancouver locksmiths offer same-day service and can repair or replace a lock the evening before you travel. It’s better to delay your departure than to leave a broken lock unfixed.